Technology: Soviets fall and fly at the Paris Air Show

ALTHOUGH most people will best remember this year's air show at Le Bourget near Paris for the spectacular crash of the new Soviet Mig-28 fighter, as the dust settles this year's air show will become known for the excellence and sophistication of the Soviet planes. Western observers at the air show were particularly impressed by the use of electronics and computers in Soviet planes: technologies in which the Soviet Union was thought to be lagging.

Serge Dassault, head of the leading French fighter manufacturer, said that in spite of the crash the Soviet Mig would be the main threat to his company's fighters in the marketplace. 'This does not put any doubt on the quality of the aircraft,' says Dassault. 'It will become one of our stiffest competitors.'

The Soviet display included the world's largest aircraft, the Antonov 225, which has six jet engines and can carry 250 tonnes of ...

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